title: Polypharmacy in the elderly: implications for nursing.
abstract: Polypharmacy, or the taking of multiple medications, is a common situation for the older individual in today's society. It reflects a change in the focus of medical care for the elderly person from a caring to a curing treatment. Nurses play a major role in identifying people receiving multiple medications and in helping to evaluate their effectiveness. Suggestions for obtaining a complete drug history are presented along with explanations of the role of age-related changes on the effect of those medications on the elderly.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D010599:Pharmacokinetics; D012646:Self Administration; D012651:Self Medication
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs